<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AS OF AND FOR THE
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO THOSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                         143,900
<SECURITIES>                                   202,129
<RECEIVABLES>                                  106,740
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,909
<INVENTORY>                                     59,170
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               648,806
<PP&E>                                         861,363
<DEPRECIATION>                                 191,863
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,733,793
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          474,266
<BONDS>                                      2,041,029
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                    110,499
<COMMON>                                           454
<OTHER-SE>                                   (931,682)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,733,793
<SALES>                                        301,387<F1>
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               309,364
<CGS>                                          170,666<F2>
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  365,046
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                47,584
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,370
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              52,510
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (103,266)
<INCOME-TAX>                                        66
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (103,332)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                              (268,999)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (372,331)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (8.29)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (8.29)
<FN>
<F1>INCLUDES SALES OF PROGRAMMING.
<F2>INCLUDING COSTS OF PROGRAMMING.
</FN>