<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Iridium
LLC's financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 1997 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000948421
<NAME> IRIDIUM LLC
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           9,189
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                37,660
<PP&E>                                       3,060,644
<DEPRECIATION>                                  48,722
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,190,885
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          414,872
<BONDS>                                      1,015,513
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     38,511
<COMMON>                                     2,019,107
<OTHER-SE>                                   (304,090)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,190,885
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                84,997
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (84,095)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (84,095)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (84,095)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.60)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.54)