<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ECHOSTAR SATELLITE BROADCASTING CORPORATION FOR THE
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO THOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY 
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                          23,473
<SECURITIES>                                     3,252
<RECEIVABLES>                                   56,261
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,803
<INVENTORY>                                     23,050
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               156,018
<PP&E>                                         563,299
<DEPRECIATION>                                  72,986
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 954,685
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          232,250
<BONDS>                                        950,047
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   (244,033)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   954,685
<SALES>                                        263,338<F1>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               280,123
<CGS>                                          156,076<F2>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  458,184
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                60,202
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,714
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              63,681<F3>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (238,233)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        64
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (238,297)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (238,297)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                (238,297)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                (238,297)
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES SALES OF PROGRAMMING.
<F2>INCLUDES COSTS OF PROGRAMMING.
<F3>NET OF AMOUNTS CAPITALIZED.
</FN>