<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
Golden Sky Systems, Inc. (unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. Dollars
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> 3,115
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 11,633
<ALLOWANCES> 1,000
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<PP&E> 9,224
<DEPRECIATION> 5,259
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,460,936
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 43,551
<BONDS> 195,000
0
877
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 694,414
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,460,936
<SALES> 133,222
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 133,222
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 207,589
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,463
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 25,443
<INCOME-PRETAX> (101,273)
<INCOME-TAX> (20,751)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (80,522)
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<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (80,522)
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</TABLE>