<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GOLDEN SKY DBS, INC. AS OF DECEMBER 31,
1999 AND FOR THE YEAR THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                  1,000


                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                           3,241
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   13,306
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (973)
<INVENTORY>                                      3,108
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                45,193
<PP&E>                                          11,771
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (5,918)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 299,699
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           47,432
<BONDS>                                        307,095
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   (114,799)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 (299,699)
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               140,573
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   88,690
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               132,428
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,909
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              45,012
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (127,940)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (127,940)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (2,935)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (130,875)
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0