<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM COMPANY'S
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001070669
<NAME> GOLDEN SKY SYSTEMS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          81,941
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    7,980
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     10,780
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                75,057
<PP&E>                                           7,031
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (2,537)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 302,517
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           32,015
<BONDS>                                        247,301
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      30,470
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 (302,517)
<SALES>                                         50,890
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                50,890
<CGS>                                           29,764
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   77,192
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,966
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (37,402)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (37,402)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (2,577)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (39,979)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0