<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS IN CITADEL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                       7,406,965
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               33,089,071
<ALLOWANCES>                               (1,280,553)
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            42,738,241
<PP&E>                                      49,138,530
<DEPRECIATION>                            (12,304,811)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             373,353,272
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       11,681,498
<BONDS>                                    118,197,999
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                      112,964,761
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        25,725
<OTHER-SE>                                 105,177,127
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               373,353,272
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            98,821,374<F1>
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               71,876,093
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            20,005,073
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               886,873
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          13,590,447
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            (7,442,963)
<INCOME-TAX>                               (1,162,507)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        (6,280,456)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               (6,280,456)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (2.22)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.22)
<FN>
<F1>COMPRISED OF NET REVENUES (GROSS REVENUES NET OF AGENCY COMMISSIONS).
</FN>