<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from financial
statements in Citadel Broadcasting Company's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                       7,684,991
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               26,553,079
<ALLOWANCES>                                 (808,942)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            35,926,371
<PP&E>                                      44,401,228
<DEPRECIATION>                             (9,158,944)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             344,172,294
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       13,332,675
<BONDS>                                    189,427,825
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                      102,009,531
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            40
<OTHER-SE>                                  16,131,885
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               344,172,294
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            89,803,270<F1>
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               67,758,787
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            14,635,534
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,016,375
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          12,303,981
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (5,460,234)
<INCOME-TAX>                                 (769,573)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (11,323,600)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (11,323,600)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   283.09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   283.09
<FN>
<F1>Comprised of net revenues (gross revenues net of agency commissions).
</FN>