<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GOLDEN SKY DBS, INC. AS OF JUNE
30, 1999 AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          14,749
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   10,837
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (728)
<INVENTORY>                                      6,662
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                58,505
<PP&E>                                          10,730
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (4,518)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 341,586
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           42,090
<BONDS>                                        334,989
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                    (42,676)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   341,586
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                60,425
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   38,022
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                58,303
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              21,728
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (55,976)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (55,976)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (2,935)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (58,911)
<EPS-BASIC>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0