<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, 1998 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-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                     102,841,800
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               35,383,403
<ALLOWANCES>                               (1,186,546)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           165,147,900
<PP&E>                                      46,736,259
<DEPRECIATION>                            (12,651,469)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             472,260,929
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       15,547,278
<BONDS>                                    210,091,437
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                      116,775,393
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            40
<OTHER-SE>                                 103,962,796
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               472,260,929
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           135,426,261<F1>
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               96,652,681
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            26,414,242
<LOSS-PROVISION>                             1,201,341
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          18,126,262
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (5,317,255)
<INCOME-TAX>                               (1,386,219)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (18,516,878)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (18,516,878)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                 (462.92)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 (462.92)
<FN>
<F1>Comprised of net revenues (gross revenues net of agency commissions).
</FN>