<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM R.H.
DONNELLEY CORPORATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000030419
<NAME> R.H. DONNELLEY CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998 DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1998 JUN-30-1997
<CASH> 208 58
<SECURITIES> 0 0
<RECEIVABLES> 135,422 105,047
<ALLOWANCES> (5,304) (8,193)
<INVENTORY> 0 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 34,700 56,251
<PP&E> 58,671 65,644
<DEPRECIATION> 35,018 33,116
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 391,490 418,212
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 53,282 49,806
<BONDS> 0 0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 0
<PREFERRED> 0 0
<COMMON> 188,421 188,421
<OTHER-SE> (414,700) 113,075
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 391,490 418,212
<SALES> 0 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 62,338 80,664
<CGS> 0 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 2,957 73,165
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 3,015 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> 56,366 7,499
<INCOME-TAX> 22,546 3,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 33,820 4,499
<DISCONTINUED> 0 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0 0
<CHANGES> 0 0
<NET-INCOME> 33,820 4,499
<EPS-PRIMARY> 0.20 0.03
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.20 0.03