<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS  AS  OF  AND  FOR  THE  PERIOD  ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 AND IS
QUALIFIED  IN  ITS  ENTIRETY  BY  REFERENECE  TO  SUCH  FIANCIAL  STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>     0001050606
<NAME>     SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER>     1000

                                     
<PERIOD-TYPE>                           3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                       DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                          APR-01-2000
<PERIOD-END>                            JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                       4,432
<SECURITIES>                                     0
<RECEIVABLES>                               21,682
<ALLOWANCES>                                 2,458
<INVENTORY>                                      0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            27,428
<PP&E>                                      90,676
<DEPRECIATION>                              34,981
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             276,613
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       10,968
<BONDS>                                    100,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            0
<PREFERRED>                                      0
<COMMON>                                   147,615
<OTHER-SE>                                  (4,832)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               276,613
<SALES>                                          0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            29,106
<CGS>                                            0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               27,247
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               133
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               729
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           2,699
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              2,769
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,168
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,601
<DISCONTINUED>                                   0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  0
<CHANGES>                                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,601
<EPS-BASIC>                                    0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                 .070