<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS IN CITADEL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION'S FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          17,981
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   55,171
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,443)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                76,154
<PP&E>                                          86,650
<DEPRECIATION>                                (18,615)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 716,613
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           21,377
<BONDS>                                        342,509
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           85,362
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            32
<OTHER-SE>                                     219,177
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   716,613
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               178,495<F1>
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  118,262
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                35,749
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 5,787
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              25,385
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (6,300)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,647)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,653)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 (4,275)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (23,031)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.80)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.80)
<FN>
<F1>Comprised of net revenues (gross revenues net of agency commissions).
</FN>