<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, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                       4,211,115
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               31,691,304
<ALLOWANCES>                                 1,126,545
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            37,671,672
<PP&E>                                      48,055,452
<DEPRECIATION>                            (11,371,828)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             372,779,659
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       15,083,802
<BONDS>                                    227,718,180
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                      109,155,664
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            40
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,181,049
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               372,779,659
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            62,923,649<F1>
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               47,110,472
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            12,962,958
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               597,807
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          10,042,263
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (7,710,476)
<INCOME-TAX>                                 (882,961)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (6,827,515)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (6,827,515)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                 (349.31)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 (349.31)
<FN>
<F1>Comprised of net revenues (gross revenues net of agency commissions).
</FN>