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

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                       1,242,211
<SECURITIES>                                   378,233
<RECEIVABLES>                                  227,335
<ALLOWANCES>                                    25,227
<INVENTORY>                                    190,196
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,186,188
<PP&E>                                       1,413,216
<DEPRECIATION>                                 369,702
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,699,640
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,067,712
<BONDS>                                      4,041,561
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                     12,429
<COMMON>                                         4,731
<OTHER-SE>                                   (434,327)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,699,640
<SALES>                                      1,859,137
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,909,822
<CGS>                                        1,064,455
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,220,152
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               138,408
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                32,138
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             185,648
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (448,738)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (145)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (448,883)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (448,883)
<EPS-BASIC>                                    (.96)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.96)

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