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

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           8,798
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   50,517
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,513)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                86,805
<PP&E>                                          85,021
<DEPRECIATION>                                (16,933)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 639,529
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           16,015
<BONDS>                                        270,586
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                           82,526
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     223,348
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   639,529
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               126,521
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   87,249
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                25,589
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,796
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,502
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (5,428)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,376)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,052)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,052)
<EPS-BASIC>                                   (368.00)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 (368.00)