<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>