<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Iridium
Operating 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> 0001051721
<NAME> IRIDIUM OPERATING LLC
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           5,940
<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>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     2,059,421
<OTHER-SE>                                   (427,884)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,642,587
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               296,446
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (293,401)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (293,401)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (293,401)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0