<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
related Form 10-Q financial statements for The Cleveland Electric
Illuminating Company and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.  (Amounts in 1,000's).  Income tax expense includes
$9,262,000 related to other income.

<CIK> 0000020947
<NAME> THE CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
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<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST>                    806,212
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS>                         307,540
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<OTHER-ASSETS>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               6,021,340
<COMMON>                                       931,962
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN>                            0
<RETAINED-EARNINGS>                            128,586
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<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES>                   1,116,608
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<OTHER-INCOME-NET>                              10,134
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<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS>                        50,000
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