<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
         This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
consolidated balance sheets of Pegasus Communication Corporation 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>
            
 <S>                                   <C>                      <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                           3-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                       DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1998    
<PERIOD-END>                            MAR-30-1998             SEP-30-1998             
<CASH>                                   39,073,970              39,073,970    
<SECURITIES>                                      0                       0    
<RECEIVABLES>                            19,716,874              19,716,874    
<ALLOWANCES>                                551,000                 551,000    
<INVENTORY>                               3,968,253               3,968,253    
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                         89,808,873              89,808,873    
<PP&E>                                   52,393,200              52,393,200    
<DEPRECIATION>                           22,841,505              22,841,505    
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                          846,164,206             846,164,206    
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                    64,433,066              64,433,066    
<BONDS>                                 350,424,554             350,424,554    
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                   122,223,017             122,223,017    
<PREFERRED>                               3,000,000               3,000,000    
<COMMON>                                    158,977                 158,977    
<OTHER-SE>                               99,445,888              99,445,888    
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>            846,164,206             846,164,206    
<SALES>                                  55,507,178             131,030,227    
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         55,507,178             131,030,227    
<CGS>                                             0                       0    
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            74,096,684             164,799,339    
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                       (25,227,611)            (25,260,782)    
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  0                       0    
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                       13,534,677              29,849,768    
<INCOME-PRETAX>                         (6,896,572)            (38,358,098)    
<INCOME-TAX>                                 50,000                 175,000    
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                     (6,946,572)            (38,533,098)    
<DISCONTINUED>                                    0                       0    
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                   0                       0    
<CHANGES>                                         0                       0    
<NET-INCOME>                            (6,946,572)            (38,533,098)    
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                (0.68)                  (3.66)    
<EPS-DILUTED>                                (0.68)                  (3.66)    
          

</TABLE>