<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ALLETE'S
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET, STATEMENT OF INCOME, AND STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW FOR
THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<CASH>                                             183
<SECURITIES>                                       104
<RECEIVABLES>                                      284
<ALLOWANCES>                                        12
<INVENTORY>                                         28
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                   118
<PP&E>                                           1,327
<DEPRECIATION>                                     949
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   2,596
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              644
<BONDS>                                            709
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               75
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           572
<OTHER-SE>                                         596
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     2,596
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   973
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      768
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  47
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    202
<INCOME-TAX>                                        72
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                130
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       130
<EPS-BASIC>                                       1.85
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.84

<F1>In May 2000 ALLETE sold its investment in ACE Limited (ACE) common
stock, which resulted in an after-tax gain of $30.4 million, or $0.44 per
share. The ACE shares were received in December 1999 upon completion of ACE's
merger with Capital Re Corporation (Capital Re). During 1999 ALLETE
recorded an aggregate $36.2 million, or $0.52 per share after-tax non-cash
charge in connection with the valuation and exchange of its investment in
Capital Re stock for the ACE shares, including a $24.1 million, or $0.35 per
share charge in the second quarter.