<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS OF DIGITAL TELEVISION SERVICES,
INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AS OF MARCH 31, 1998 (UNAUDITED) AND DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND
THE RELATED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 (UNAUDITED) AND MARCH 31, 1997 (UNAUDITED). THIS
INFORMATION IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CURRENCY> U.S.DOLLARS
<MULTIPLIER> 1
       
<S>                                 <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                       3-MOS                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998             MAR-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1                       1
<CASH>                                        4,478,512             39,113,152  
<SECURITIES>                                          0                      0  
<RECEIVABLES>                                 6,044,009              5,364,666  
<ALLOWANCES>                                    200,548                190,647  
<INVENTORY>                                   1,487,370              2,229,918  
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             30,511,827             65,616,080  
<PP&E>                                        3,815,851              3,474,754  
<DEPRECIATION>                                  776,106                554,537  
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              219,182,155            257,662,066  
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        26,933,874             63,336,431  
<BONDS>                                     186,749,451            177,641,876  
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                 0                      0  
<PREFERRED>                                      14,041                 14,041  
<COMMON>                                         21,370                 21,370  
<OTHER-SE>                                    5,452,184             16,637,113  
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                219,182,155            257,662,066  
<SALES>                                      19,963,243              7,435,179  
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             19,963,243              7,435,179  
<CGS>                                        13,598,105              4,508,007  
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                13,598,105              4,508,007  
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             10,956,521              5,072,062  
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                231,901                101,053  
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            6,196,148              1,686,800  
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             (11,184,929)            (3,898,858)  
<INCOME-TAX>                                          0                      0  
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         (11,184,929)            (3,898,858)  
<DISCONTINUED>                                        0                      0  
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                       0                      0  
<CHANGES>                                             0                      0  
<NET-INCOME>                                (11,184,929)            (3,898,858)  
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         0                      0  
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         0                      0  
                                                                                
                                           





</TABLE>