<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Iridium
LLC's financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1997 and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>0000948421
<NAME>IRIDIUM LLC
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           9,040
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               379,476
<PP&E>                                       3,271,518
<DEPRECIATION>                                 120,138
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,645,687
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          467,395
<BONDS>                                      1,327,590
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     39,907
<COMMON>                                     2,024,220
<OTHER-SE>                                   (429,490)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,645,687
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               296,598
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (293,553)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (293,553)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (293,553)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (2.25)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.25)