<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
connsolidated balance sheets of Digital Television Services, Inc. as of December
31, 1997 and September 30, 1998 (unaudited) and the related consolidated
statements of operations and cash flows for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 1997 (unaudited) and September 30, 1998 (unaudited). This
information is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998             SEP-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1                       1
<CASH>                                       4,762,877               4,762,877
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                3,454,923               3,454,923
<ALLOWANCES>                                   183,000                 183,000
<INVENTORY>                                    413,164                 413,164
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            27,625,951              27,625,951
<PP&E>                                       4,707,583               4,707,583
<DEPRECIATION>                               1,167,422               1,167,422
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             381,272,858             381,272,858
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       30,975,091              30,975,091
<BONDS>                                    153,145,642             153,145,642
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             1                       1
<OTHER-SE>                                  95,618,522              95,618,522
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               380,403,197             380,403,197
<SALES>                                     19,464,114              54,683,561
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            19,464,114              54,683,561
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               30,323,129              77,406,753
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             (314,711)               (858,135)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           6,236,453              18,693,648
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (16,780,757)            (40,558,705)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (16,780,757)            (40,558,705)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                              (16,780,757)            (40,558,705)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                             (167,807.57)            (405,587.05)
<EPS-DILUTED>                             (167,807.57)            (405,587.05)
        

</TABLE>