<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AS OF AND FOR THE
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                         486,152
<SECURITIES>                                   404,470
<RECEIVABLES>                                  193,284
<ALLOWANCES>                                    21,969
<INVENTORY>                                    204,044
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,432,628
<PP&E>                                       1,380,295
<DEPRECIATION>                                 334,744
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,821,322
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,062,579
<BONDS>                                      3,045,831
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     12,555
<COMMON>                                         4,727
<OTHER-SE>                                   (310,824)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,821,322
<SALES>                                      1,178,240
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,211,850
<CGS>                                          691,593
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,440,098
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                89,651
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                20,740
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             123,015
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (317,899)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      (91)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (317,990)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (317,990)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.68)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.68)

<F1>INCLUDES PROGRAMMING REVENUE
<F2>INCLUDES COSTS OF PROGRAMMING