<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF AND FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>  0001049664
<NAME>  SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                                                  
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997             DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                           2,103                   1,962
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,240                  11,547
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,249                   1,005
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                20,320                  13,613
<PP&E>                                          57,973                  49,405
<DEPRECIATION>                                  21,801                  19,098
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 184,133                 159,185
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,102                   5,355
<BONDS>                                        160,100                 121,790
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                         5,832                   5,832
<OTHER-SE>                                       3,554                  14,702
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   184,133                 159,185
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                49,449                  59,010
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   49,953                  48,558
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   924                   1,067
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,548                   7,361
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (4,374)                  19,408
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,790)                   6,655
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (2,584)                  12,753
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (1,090)                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (3,674)                  12,753
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0