<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PRIMESTAR,
INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  121,527
<ALLOWANCES>                                    10,093
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0
<PP&E>                                       1,847,185
<DEPRECIATION>                                 413,532
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,012,565
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0
<BONDS>                                      1,710,918
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,009
<OTHER-SE>                                     800,398
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,012,565
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               911,372
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  464,060
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               365,473
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             104,042
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (371,560)
<INCOME-TAX>                                 (115,718)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (255,842)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (255,842)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.63)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.63)