<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, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO 
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          31,615
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   37,966
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,232)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                96,287
<PP&E>                                          56,549      
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (14,479)      
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 477,874
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           18,368
<BONDS>                                        243,153
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          120,837
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            26
<OTHER-SE>                                      95,516
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   477,874
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                32,633    
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   25,512
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 7,003
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   605
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,744 
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (5,600)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (419)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (5,181)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (5,181) 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     (.36)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     (.36)