<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM IRIDIUM
OPERATING LLC'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999
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-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                         195,443
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,442
<ALLOWANCES>                                       126
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               219,107
<PP&E>                                       4,278,373
<DEPRECIATION>                                 865,564
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,719,038
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        3,241,966
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     2,401,011
<OTHER-SE>                                 (2,186,884)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,719,038
<SALES>                                          1,451
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,451
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               387,631
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             119,141
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (505,321)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (505,321)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (505,321)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.00