<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements of EchoStar Satellite Broadcasting Corporation as of and
for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to those financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                          13,324
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   84,226
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,673
<INVENTORY>                                     34,643
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               146,736
<PP&E>                                         614,064
<DEPRECIATION>                                  99,049
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 964,323
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          294,067
<BONDS>                                      1,006,055
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   (358,263)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   964,323
<SALES>                                        209,429<F1>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               214,024
<CGS>                                          133,987<F2>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  230,709
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                27,623
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,678
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              28,303<F3>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (44,308)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       171
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (44,479)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (44,479)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                 (44,479)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 (44,479)
<FN>
<F1>Includes sales of programming.
<F2>Includes costs of programming.
<F3>Net of amounts capitalized.
</FN>