<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0001090425
<NAME> LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1999
<CASH>                                           8,401
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   85,154
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,928
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               125,493
<PP&E>                                       1,412,605
<DEPRECIATION>                                 218,893
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,206,945
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           84,706
<BONDS>                                      1,611,463
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            88
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,391,441
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,206,945
<SALES>                                        444,135
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               444,135
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  143,090
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 4,065
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              89,619
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (53,182)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (9,596)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (43,586)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  (182)
<CHANGES>                                        (767)
<NET-INCOME>                                  (44,535)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.65)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.65)