<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Iridium
LLC's financial statements for the twelve months ended December 31, 1998 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                          24,756
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      186
<ALLOWANCES>                                      (93)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                56,901
<PP&E>                                       4,256,124
<DEPRECIATION>                               (671,915)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,738,895
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          297,071
<BONDS>                                      1,405,735
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     46,016
<COMMON>                                     2,114,316
<OTHER-SE>                                 (1,683,169)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,738,895
<SALES>                                            186
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   186
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               987,773
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             265,214
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (1,252,801)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (1,252,801)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (1,252,801)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (8.91)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (8.91)