<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF WINSTAR COMMUNICATIONS AND SUBSIDIARIES FOR
THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> Dec-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> Jan-01-2000
<PERIOD-END> Sep-30-2000
<CASH> 302,693
<SECURITIES> 53,550
<RECEIVABLES> 229,563<F1>
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 51,742
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 811,971
<PP&E> 2,672,616<F2>
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 4,469,254
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 578,905
<BONDS> 3,312,358
200,000
59
<COMMON> 916
<OTHER-SE> (111,000)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 4,469,254
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 534,199
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 297,871
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 595,689
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 232,359
<INCOME-PRETAX> (541,340)
<INCOME-TAX> (4,641)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (536,699)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> (104,804)
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (641,503)
<EPS-BASIC> (8.43)
<EPS-DILUTED> (8.43)
<FN>
<F1>
Receivables are net of allowance for doubtful accounts
<F2>
PP&E are net of acumulated depreciation
</FN>
</TABLE>