<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ECHOSTAR SATELLITE BROADCASTING CORPORATION OF AND FOR
THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO THOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                          42,156
<SECURITIES>                                     1,999
<RECEIVABLES>                                   87,423
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,530
<INVENTORY>                                     81,974
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               232,095
<PP&E>                                         662,876
<DEPRECIATION>                                 127,547
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 989,557
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          338,827
<BONDS>                                      1,064,034
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   (441,258)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   989,557
<SALES>                                        681,139<F1>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               696,944
<CGS>                                          417,330<F2>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  735,788
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                88,410
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 8,201
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              90,735<F3>
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (127,254)
<INCOME-TAX>                                       220
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (127,474)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (127,474)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                (127,474)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                (127,474)
<FN>
<F1>Includes sales of programming.
<F2>Includes costs of programming.
<F3>Net of amounts capitalized.
</FN>