<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
ACCOMPANYING CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF ECHOSTAR SATELLITE BROADCASTING
CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF DEC. 31, 1996 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED 
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 1996 AND 
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          38,428
<SECURITIES>                                    18,807
<RECEIVABLES>                                   14,977
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,494)
<INVENTORY>                                     72,767
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               231,475
<PP&E>                                         535,208
<DEPRECIATION>                                (35,219)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,073,091
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          197,081
<BONDS>                                        874,720
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     (5,747)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,073,091
<SALES>                                        208,942<F1>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               209,731
<CGS>                                          153,094<F2>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  153,094
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               165,502
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,340
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              61,487<F3>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (155,608)
<INCOME-TAX>                                    54,860
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (100,748)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (100,748)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES SALES OF PROGRAMMING.
<F2>INCLUDES THE COST OF PROVIDING PROGRAMMING.
<F3>NET OF AMOUNTS CAPITALIZED.
</FN>