<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ACCOMPANYING CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF ECHOSTAR SATELLITE BROADCASTING
CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF MARCH 31, 1996 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND CASH FLOWS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                         162,651
<SECURITIES>                                       212
<RECEIVABLES>                                   22,245
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,616)
<INVENTORY>                                     27,298
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               232,493
<PP&E>                                         346,810
<DEPRECIATION>                                (13,579)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 899,357
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           31,916
<BONDS>                                        783,427
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      85,007
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   899,357
<SALES>                                         40,654<F1>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                41,026
<CGS>                                           36,033<F2>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   49,934
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 3,811
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   610
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,784
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (12,719)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,065
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (7,654)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (7,654)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (7,654)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (7,654)
<FN>
<F1> INCLUDES SALES OF PROGRAMMING.
<F2> INCLUDES THE COST OF PROVIDING PROGRAMMING.
</FN>