<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, AND THE STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>  0001060530
<NAME> FALCON FUNDING CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<CASH>                                           4,196
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   19,250
<ALLOWANCES>                                       600
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                         915,708
<DEPRECIATION>                                 366,232
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,409,229
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          145,722
<BONDS>                                      1,681,454
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,409,229
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               320,228
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  377,963
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (8,085)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,007
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              98,931
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (151,588)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (3,022)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (148,566)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (148,566)
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0