<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ORBCOMM
GLOBEL, L.P. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FOOTNOTES THERETO.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          37,959
<SECURITIES>                                    41,222<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      3,850
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                83,031
<PP&E>                                         216,939
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (3,491)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 324,368
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           25,091
<BONDS>                                        171,747
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     127,530<F2>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   324,368
<SALES>                                            207
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   211
<CGS>                                              207
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    9,944
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   609<F3>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0<F4>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                      0
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (10,342)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (10,342)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>Represents only the current marketable securities.
<F2>Represents total partners' capital.
<F3>Include both interest income and equity in losses of affiliates.
<F4>11,899 interest expense was capitalized.
</FN>