New York has the smartest, toughest, most ambitious men in the world, and some of them are still single – or newly single, having gotten divorced. We went through our multiple data bases, interviewed the experts, polled our readers, and came up with this definitive PAGE SIX list of the city’s most eligible guys.

They come from all sorts of backgrounds and generations, with different talents and widely divergent incomes. The only thing they have in common is they like women.

We rejected some men because they seem to be in long-term romances heading toward marriage, others because it seems they’ll never marry. To the many men who think they belong on the list, there’s always next year.

DEREK JETER, 29. The Yankee shortstop’s sex-symbol status has only grown since he was stalked by Mariah Carey, and mocked in American Express ads for his propensity to party. Pro: Great seats for the World Series. Con: Demands near-perfection – at least visually – in his dates.

ED SKYLER, 30. Tall, dark, super-serious mayoral press secretary went to Collegiate, then the University of Pennsylvania. His sister is a successful playwright. Pro: He can give you a private tour of City Hall and Gracie Mansion. Con: A romantic evening would end early bcause Skyler works 18 hours a day, starting before dawn.

JOHN UTENDAHL, 46. He’s 6-foot-3, with movie star looks – and he is chairman and CEO of Utendahl Capital Partners, the largest minority-owned investment bank in America. Pro: Plenty of closet space in his Brooklyn Heights townhouse and his weekend place in Quogue. Con: Plan on being a golf widow – he runs a charity tournament every year in Boca Raton, Fla.

JEREMY SHOCKEY, 23. The Giants’ tight end became a fan favorite with his first tackle-breaking game. Now he’s the biggest local gridiron personality since Joe “Willie” Namath. Pro: Quite single despite his friendship with babelicious Britny Gastineau. Con: His big mouth often misfires, as when he blasted Giants fans because they had the nerve to boo him and his disappointing teammates.

ANDRE BALAZS, 46. The ever-smiling hotelier – who owns The Mercer in Soho, Chateau Marmont and the Standard in L.A., the Raleigh in Miami, Sunset Beach on Shelter Iasland, and a new place in St. Barts – just split from his wife Katie Ford. Pro: Recently was reported skinny-dipping. Con: Seems to be giving Uma Thurman more than his shoulder to cry on.

ETHAN HAWKE, 33. The adulterer/actor finally shed his pretty-boy image this summer, brazenly cheating on wife Uma Thurman. Pro: Plenty of women would like a shot at taming this rogue bull. Con: Might guilt you into reading one of his weak novels.

ROCCO DiSPIRITO, 37. The dashing owner of Union Pacific and star of his own reality show has cooked for just about every hip hottie in town. Pro: He might be ready to settle down in the next few years (Yeah, right). Con: If you haven’t already dated him, one of your friends has.

ANDRE 3000, 28. With this year’s smash hit “Hey Ya,” the fun half of hip-hop duo Outkast has gone from cult figure to mainstream superstar. Pro: His minimalist posse includes as few as four members. Con: Recently moved to Brooklyn and might not realize that only the lamest of the lame frequent Williamsburg nightspots.

PHARRELL WILLIAMS, 30. Pop production whiz’s maddeningly catchy beats legitimized Justin Timberlake, and cameos of his Curtis Mayfield-like falsetto are becoming ubiquitous on hits by Jay-Z and others. Pro: Makes more than you do in a year to tweak a Britney Spears song. Con: Approaching a P. Diddy-like level of oxerexposure.

JIMMY FALLON, 29. We don’t know if it’s his cuddly demeanor or uncanny impersonation skills, but the resident hunk on “Saturday Night Live” is catnip to the ladies. Pro: Likes to play the jukebox at Hell’s Kitchen dive bars. Con: If he stays over your house, make sure to have extra hair product for his artfully mussed ‘do.

DAMON DASH, 32. Brash CEO of Rocawear clothing line and Roc-a-Fella Records also owns a film company, vodka line, nightclub, and he’s undoubtedly planning a new project as you read this. Pro: One of the city’s reigning rapresarios. Con: Is prone to obnoxious harangues against his underlings or those who question his importance.

JULIAN CASABLANCAS, 25. Doe-eyed son of Elite Models founder John Casablancas sings for hot rock band The Strokes. Pro: His band is actually good. Con: Wears “ironic” 1980s concert T-shirts by Def Lepard and Michael Jackson.

SHEPHERD SMITH, 39. Next to the blustery Bill O’Reilly, this Southern-fried anchorman is probably the most recognizable face on the top-rated Fox News Channel. Pro: His sprawling Lower East Side pad has a pool table. Con: A road rager who was arrested in 2000 for hitting a reporter with his car in a dispute over a parking space in Tallahassee, Fla.

PAOLO ZAMPOLLI, 33. Italian owner of ID Models can usually be found sitting in a corner banquette of whatever club just opened surrounded by a bevy of beauties. Pro: Throws great parties in his downtown loft. Con: If you’re not 5-foot-11 with cheekbones that cut glass, he probably won’t remember your name.

ADRIEN BRODY, 30. Haunted-looking actor famously kissed Halle Berry while accepting his Oscar for “The Pianist.” Pro: Makes moody trip-hop music under the alias, “A. Ranger.” Con: Is serious with girlfriend Michelle Dupont, a music-industry personal assistant.

JEFFREY EPSTEIN, 50. Mystery billionaire was a math teacher at Dalton just a few years ago. Then he started handling Leslie Wexner’s money. Now he lives in Manhattan’s biggest mansion. Pro: Has a private plane which he used to take Bill Clinton to Africa. Con: Was one of Mort Zuckerman’s partners in failed attempt to buy New York magazine.

CHRIS BARISH, 30. The son of Planet Hollywood tycoon and movie producer Keith Barish recently sold out his interest in three Las Vegas nightclubs to Kirk Kerkorian for $10 million. Pro: You’ll never have to wait on line or pay for a drink at Marquee, his new club. Con: You might never get to sleep before 3 a.m.

BILLY CRUDUP, 35. The hunky actor dumped Mary Louise Parker when she was 8½ months pregnant and ran off with Claire Danes, but that might not last too long either. Pro: Critics loved his performance in Tim Burton’s “Big Fish.” Con: A true heart-breaker.

LENNY KRAVITZ, 39. The super-modelizer had a big hit with “Let Love Rule,” but hasn’t fallen in love himself since the end of his marriage to Lisa Bonet that produced a daughter, Zoe, 15. Pro: Has a beautiful loft downtown he rented to Nicole Kidman, who then statrted dating him. Con: The funky fashions make him seem narcissistic.

DONALD TRUMP JR., 25. The first-born son of The Donald and his first wife Ivana is following in his father’s footsteps, not only developing buildings, but taking center stage to sell the apartments. Pro: Weekend flights down to Mar-a-lago on the family jet. Con: his dad, who owns Miss Universe, has extremely high standards when it comes to the female form.

CHRIS HEINZ, 30. The billionaire ketchup heir has captured the attention of many Manhattanites, including Gwyneth Paltrow (pre-Chris Martin). Pro: Tall, dark and handsome, he even has a sense of humor. Con: Likes lost causes – he quit his banking job to work for his stepfather John Kerry’s foundering campaign.

JONATHAN TISCH, 50. The charming Loews hotel chain chairman is a regular on the social and charity circuit. Back on the market and looking for a date after breaking off his wedding to Jill Swid. Pro: Has deep pockets and hotels in every port. Con: Notoriously marriage-phobic.

ANDREW CUOMO, 46. After a nasty split with his wife Kerry Kennedy, the failed gubernatorial candidate has been quietly dating again. Pro: He’s capable and articulate and has nowhere to go but up from here. Con: Sometimes comes off as arrogant and self-absorbed.

CHARLES ROCKEFELLER, 30. The tall, blond Rockefeller heir has got looks, money, and impeccable manners and, duh! . . . he’s a Rockefeller! Pro: Occasionally entertains at the dynastic estate, Pocantico Hills. Con: Is it boyish charm, or just boyish?

MARCUS SAMUELSSON, 33. The studly chef/owner of Aquavit – who once made People magazine’s Sexiest list – has a new eatery, Riingo, in the new Alex Hotel. Pro: He cooks and does dishes! Con: All chefs keep late hours, and they fraternize after hours with the waitresses.

JONATHAN KRAMER, 29. Grungy artist has been making a living out of painting since he was in college. Not new to the spotlight (he did date Sophie Dahl), Kramer can be found frequenting Rene Risque concerts. Pro: Is good company and may offer to paint you. Con: Likes to travel around town on a skateboard – with no sidecar for a date.

DAN ABRAMS, 36. The MSNBC newsdude, the son of legendary First Amendment lawyer Floyd Abrams, is one of the few talking heads smart enough to cover legal issues. Pro: Your mother will love him. Con: MSNBC ratings are so low, no one gets to see him.

JAMIE JOHNSON, 23. The Johnson & Johnson heir burst onto the scene last year at Sundance with his documentary “Born Rich,” which showed the pathetic underbelly of his – and his pals’ – “blessed” lives. Pro: The kid’s got talent! Con: He sold out his friends, and that nasal voice could cut glass.

ROFFREDO GAETANI, 50. The strapping former boxer is an Italian count distantly related to a pope. He was a close friend of late Fiat chairman Gianni Agnelli, who set Roffredo up with Ferrari dealerships. Pro: The old world charm is such that he kisses women’s hands. Con: Has been very busy, especially with models. Ivana Trump was just his most famous conquest.

REP. ANTHONY WEINER, 38. The Brooklyn Democrat is ambitious and hard-working, and had the good sense to hire the extremely capable Serena Torrey as one of his aides. Pro: Being touted as a possible candidate for mayor. Con: Could be cruelly described as a pencil-necked geek.

ERIC VILLENCY, 28. Dashing president and creative director of Maurice Villency, a chain of furniture stores founded by his grandfather in 1932. Pro: He sponsors fashion designers so he gets front-row seats to all the shows. Con: Seems serious with his girlfriend of over a year, gorgeous Olivia Chantecaille.

ADAM CLAYTON POWELL, 41. The state assemblyman resembles his legendary father, the congressman for whom a boulevard in Harlem is named. His mother was a famous beauty in Puerto Rico, where young Adam grew up. He plans someday to oust his nemesis, Rep. Charlie Rangel, and take over his seat. Pro: Has a yacht at City Island where he entertains bikini babes. Con: Has a tendency to back losers.

FREDERIC FEKKAI, 44. Handsome French haircutter has charmed the pants off Libet Johnson, Patricia Duff and other blondes too numerous to mention. Meanwhile, he’s been branding his name and marketing hair care products. Pro: You’ll never have a bad hair day. Con: He might be a bit spoiled. One rich girlfriend supposedly gave him a Gulfstream jet, and it wasn’t even Christmas.

JIMMY RODRIGUEZ, 41. Since dropping out of high school, he’s built a four-restaurant empire with eateries in the Bronx, Harlem, Sutton Place and City Island. Pro: Is pals with hip-hop stars, Yankees and Knicks. Con: Is pals with hip-hop stars, Yankees and Knicks.