<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AT AND FOR
THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<CIK> 0000820736
<NAME> ORBITAL SCIENCES CORP /DE/
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                          27,923
<SECURITIES>                                     5,827
<RECEIVABLES>                                  142,341
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (1,368)
<INVENTORY>                                     27,159
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               207,834
<PP&E>                                         196,422
<DEPRECIATION>                                (69,534)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 509,613
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          136,779
<BONDS>                                         35,326
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           322
<OTHER-SE>                                     323,473
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   509,613
<SALES>                                        449,787
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               449,787
<CGS>                                          332,581
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  332,581
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   603
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,412
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,173
<INCOME-TAX>                                       211
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              7,962
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  1,980
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     9,942
<EPS-BASIC>                                       0.34
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.34