<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS LTD. FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
JUNE 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                         318,903
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  376,482
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     99,020
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               133,740
<PP&E>                                         919,303
<DEPRECIATION>                                 146,862
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,683,226
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          387,865
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    731,289
<COMMON>                                         2,004
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,205,912
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,683,226
<SALES>                                        631,501
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               647,265
<CGS>                                          624,669
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  624,669
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 22,596
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12,975
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (10,702)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (13,649)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.06)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.06)