<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS IN CITADEL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          16,082
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   75,361
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (3,024)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                95,866
<PP&E>                                         118,433
<DEPRECIATION>                                (25,764)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,220,998
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           24,707
<BONDS>                                        592,412
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           92,987
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            37
<OTHER-SE>                                     434,570
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,220,998
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               192,532
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  131,254
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                49,876
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,466
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,979
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (19,530)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (2,676)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (16,854)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 (3,373)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (20,227)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.81)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.81)