<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS IN CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          68,680
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   43,204
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,110)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               139,021
<PP&E>                                          74,600
<DEPRECIATION>                                (14,941)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 615,207
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           15,595
<BONDS>                                        211,299
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          124,900
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     232,059
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   615,207
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                75,077
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   53,248
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                15,124
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,344
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,482
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (5,412)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (903)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,509)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,509)
<EPS-BASIC>                                   (312.27)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 (312.27)