<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GOLDEN SKY SYSTEMS, INC. AT DECEMBER 31,
1998 AND FOR THE YEAR THEN ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001070669
<NAME> GOLDEN SKY SYSTEMS INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                           4,460
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    8,925
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (293)
<INVENTORY>                                     10,146
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                55,645
<PP&E>                                           8,208
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (3,214)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 328,071
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           40,441
<BONDS>                                        271,708
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      15,922
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   328,071
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                75,924
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   45,291
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                73,819
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              20,537
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (62,150)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (62,150)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (2,577)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (64,727)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0