<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS IN CITADEL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE THREE
MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         212,187
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   47,672
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,934)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               264,393
<PP&E>                                          89,353
<DEPRECIATION>                                (20,832)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 927,310
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           18,299
<BONDS>                                        332,931
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           88,382
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            37
<OTHER-SE>                                     442,867
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   927,310
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                46,137
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   36,526
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                12,605
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,540
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,747
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (11,223)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (735)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (11,488)
<DISCONTINUED>                                   (564)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (11,052)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.41)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.41)