<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, 1997 and the related consolidated
statements of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31,
1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to those financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          30,079
<SECURITIES>                                     3,528
<RECEIVABLES>                                   32,800
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,642)
<INVENTORY>                                     57,043
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               220,992
<PP&E>                                         546,572
<DEPRECIATION>                                (47,533)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,072,727
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          231,348
<BONDS>                                        898,604
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                    (67,352)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,072,727
<SALES>                                         71,304<F1>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                71,462
<CGS>                                           30,412<F2>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  114,790
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (18,257)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   609
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            (19,846)<F3>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (61,585)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (19)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (61,604)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (61,604)
<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>