<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the PanAmSat
6/30/96 10-Q and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                       7,400,492
<SECURITIES>                               413,489,902
<RECEIVABLES>                                8,102,437
<ALLOWANCES>                                 (100,000)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            33,318,186
<PP&E>                                     850,048,043
<DEPRECIATION>                           (107,270,028)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           1,538,748,443
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       22,214,502
<BONDS>                                    607,417,526
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                      307,668,167
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,000,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 484,680,958
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             1,538,748,443
<SALES>                                    110,707,166
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           110,707,166
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               59,868,589
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,614,573
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             48,224,004
<INCOME-TAX>                                19,386,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         28,838,004
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                28,838,004
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0